The AIG Women’s Open at Royal Lytham & St Annes will feature a notable grouping for its initial rounds, with Nelly Korda and Haeran Ryu set to play together. This pairing brings together two players who have collectively secured all four major titles this season. They will be joined by Lydia Ko, the 2024 champion of the event.
Korda, currently the world’s top-ranked player, achieved victories at the Chevron Championship in April and the US Women’s Open in June. Ryu then followed with wins at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship. This marks the first time in history that two players have each won multiple majors in a single season.
The trio of Korda, Ryu, and Ko will commence their first round at 8:42 am. Both Korda and Ryu have the opportunity to become the first player since Inbee Park in 2013 to win three majors in a calendar year. Ryu is specifically aiming for a third consecutive major title.
Key Groupings and Tee Times
Another significant grouping for the early action includes Lottie Woad, Aki Iwai, and Andrea Lee, who are scheduled to tee off at 8:31 am. Woad, who earned the Smyth Salver as the low amateur in her debut at the Championship two years ago, achieved a T8 finish last year after turning professional. Lee has a history of strong performances at the AIG Women’s Open, with two top-ten finishes, while Iwai also finished T7 two years ago.
Defending champion Miyu Yamashita will begin her tournament at 1:15 pm, playing alongside Jeeno Thitikul and Lauren Coughlin. Yamashita is aiming to become the first player to win back-to-back women’s majors since Yani Tseng. Thitikul previously won the Smyth Salver at Royal Lytham & St Annes eight years ago.
Charley Hull is also part of the later starting groups, teeing off at 1:26 pm with Hannah Green and Brooke Henderson. Hull has achieved two runner-up finishes in the last three years at this event, including a T2 finish last year, and will be looking to secure her first major title.
Other notable groups include major winners Hyo Joo Kim, Minjee Lee, and Mao Saigo, who are scheduled for an 8:20 am start. Ruoning Yin, Nasa Hataoka, and Jennifer Kupcho will begin their opening rounds at 1:04 pm. Georgia Hall, the 2018 champion at Royal Lytham & St Annes, will play with fellow champion Hinako Shibuno and 2026 Women’s Amateur Champion Valentine Delon at 12:42 pm.
England’s Alice Hewson is set to hit the opening tee shot at 6:30 am on Thursday, marking the start of the tournament for the 144-woman field. The event operates with a one-tee start.
Solheim Cup Implications
Beyond the major championship itself, the AIG Women’s Open serves as the final qualifying event for European players seeking to participate in the Solheim Cup. The Team Europe roster will be determined by the top two players in the European Solheim Cup Team points standings, along with the next six eligible players from the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings who have not already qualified.
Following the conclusion of the tournament, Anna Nordqvist will announce her four captain’s picks for the team. This announcement is scheduled to be made live on Monday.
Korda’s Recent Form and Outlook
Korda’s season began with a strong performance, including multiple victories, but her form has seen a recent shift. After winning the US Women’s Open, she was unable to catch Ryu at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. She subsequently missed the cut at the Evian Championship and finished T16 at the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open, where she recorded one under-par round.
Korda has previously acknowledged the mental demands of being in constant contention and the spotlight that comes with being a top player. She took a week off in Prague to reset before heading into the final major of the year, aiming to recharge and return to her roots. Her T16 finish in Scotland provided preparation for the links golf test at Royal Lytham & St Annes, where she will have another opportunity to complete the LPGA‘s career Grand Slam by winning four of the five majors.
The tournament is set to begin on Thursday, with live coverage starting at 9 am.
Source: skysports.com